Ellison Taylor

During lunch time, in the cafeteria. There was buzzing excitement about something that I didn't hear of.

"Did you see Ian Collins today? Why was he here?" Kingsley asked as soon as he put his food tray down on the table I was sitting alone.

"I'm not interested." I said.

"He could be working alongside with us." He said.

"That we will bother when it happens." I shrugged.

"Are you free this weekend?"

He always ask me this question and he knows what my answer is every single time.

"Maybe next week?" He asked with the same hopeful look like every week and I just give him a tight smile.

It's been a week since I met Ian, accidentally and no one knows why he was here. Taylor didn't say anything when people randomly threw questions at her about that matter. She seemed stress about that situation.

Rosa followed behind me with her iPad as I was scanning through the file while walking towards the exit of the main building to go for our meeting.

"Ellison?" I heard his voice for the first time and I froze in my place when I saw him standing in front of me. It seemed like everything around us turned silent, but maybe it's just me.Rosa squealed a little from behind me and that brought me back to reality.

"Hey.." I started. "How are you doing?" I asked. I was proud that I was calm and collected.

"Good..good." He said still looking at me. "How about you?" He whispered.

"Good." I said.

"You look different and beautiful like always." He muttered.

"You guys know each other?" Rosa asked stepping forward.

"We were classmates." I said ignoring his comment. "Anyway, I have to get going." I said looking at my watch. "It was nice meeting you again."

"You work here?" He asked.

"Yes." I said. "Anyway, see you." I said as I give a nod and walk passed him.

"Wait." I heard him call out. I turned around.

"Can we grab some dinner anytime?" He asked. I was going to say No, but Rosa had to reveal my schedule to him. Sometime, I doubt she can keep secrets as my secretary. She gets way too excited about things and blurts things out and later regrets it.

"She is free for dinner next Monday." She said excitedly. "Should I book you in?"

"If she is fine with that." He asked looking at me.

"I have personal things to take care of." I said. "Next time maybe." I said. Of course, there won't be any next time.

He looked disappointed. He shouldn't be, he should know better. Why would I want to hang out with him after what he did to me back in high school?

"Right. Totally forgot about that one." Rosa said, realizing her mistake. "Nice meeting you, we actually have a meeting to attend." I turned and around and walked towards my car that was already parked in the entrance.

I prefer driving myself for meetings rather that using the work car. Makes it convenient for me to go home after the meeting rather than going back to the office to collect my car.

The meeting was much longer than expected and by the time I dropped Rosa home I was tired. Claire was in my apartment when I reached home.

"I bought us some dinner." She said as she pointed towards the take out boxes and I couldn't help, but hug her.

"I was craving for korean foods! How did you know that?" I asked.

"I just figured." She shrugged.

"You can start eating, I'll shower first." I said.

"It'll be cold." She said.

"Okay fine." I said and then we took out the boxes. While I was taking a bite of the fried chicken, she asked.

"When did you meet them?" She asked.

"At the grocery store near my work place." I said.

She nodded her head.

"You want to meet them?"

"It's awkward." She said.

"Well, it's your wish." I said.

"You're really fine with hanging around them?" She asked.

"I'm getting there." I said. "Baby steps." I reminded.

"What if you meet him?" She asked.

"You mean Ian? I did met him this afternoon."

"What? You are that cool about it?" Her eyes widened. "Ellison.." she started.

"It was a coincident." I said shrugging. "Let's drop the topic."

She sighed and nodded her head. Claire after sometime left to go home. I sat down in the office to do some work when my phone rang. It was Cooper.

"Hello? Ellison?" He asked.

"Hello Cooper, how are you doing?" I asked typing a reply to the email I received today.

"Good thanks, I was wondering if you and Claire would like to go out for lunch this Saturday?"

"I actually have to check my schedule." I said. "I also have to check with Claire."

"I'll send you the detail tomorrow, but please do let me know if you guys can make it?"

"Who is coming?" I asked.

"Just El and I." He said.

"Okay." I said sounding relieved. "I'll let you know once I confirm with Claire and check my schedule."

"Thanks." He said. "Good night."

"Night!" I said and ended the call. I texted Claire about the plan, but she never replied that night.

The next morning, I went to work with a frown as I looked at the text from Taylor asking me to clear my schedule for this afternoon as she is calling all of the managerial department for a last moment meeting. That's so unlike her, she is usually an organized person, always making sure she give enough time notices to hold meetings, so we don't have to clear our schedule for that day.

Rosa was tensed when I walked inside the building. "Did you receive the text?" She asked. I nodded my head. "The meeting that you were suppose to attend that time has been reschedule to two hours later. I couldn't cancel it due to the fact, it's an important one."

I agree with her. It was a team meeting regarding the next fashion show we were holding in two months.

"You have some documents that you need to sign." She handed me my iPad. "The sales of our last product seems to be doing great." As I scroll through to see the statistics and demographic of the product.

"I doubt that." I said raising one of my eye brow at her. The sale is worse than the one before. "Did you ask the advertisement team to join us for a meeting, soon?"

"Already did." She said.

"Perfect." I said. I was not in my best mood today as I saw the sales result and then the sudden meeting that was announced.

"You need to relax." Kingsley said as soon as he saw me that day.He pinched my cheek lightly and I scowled.

"What do you think you're doing?" I ask slapping his hand away gently from my face.

"Don't frown so much." He laughed. Someone coughed awkwardly and Kingsley was surprised as he quickly removed his hands from my cheek. His eyes widened a bit and he give a smile to the person. I turned around to see the most unexpected person standing few feet away from me.

"Hello." Ian said with a blank look on his face.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this book, please give this chapter a Vote and share this book with other readers❤️ thank you for your support.